There are so many things to go after Rep. Thelma Drake (R-2nd) about -- stem cell research, the Iraq war, the environment -- but SCHIP is certainly high on the list. Here's what the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has to say on the subject, in a radio ad and robocall campaign against Drake beginning today.
DCCC Launches "Putting Children First" Ad CampaignChairman Chris Van Hollen announced today that the DCCC will target eight Republicans for voting against SCHIP which provides health insurance for children. The DCCC's "Putting Children First" campaign kicks off on Monday with radio ads, robo calls, and e-mails.
"We're going district by district to tell Republicans and President Bush to stop obstructing progress and start putting children first," Van Hollen said. "Republicans who continue to vote in lockstep with President Bush and against children will be held accountable."
The radio ads began airing during drive time on Monday afternoon. The initial ad buy is for one week. The radio ads and robo calls will run in the following districts:
* Thelma Drake (VA-02)
* Steve Chabot (OH-01)
* Tom Feeney (FL-24)
* Sam Graves (MO-076)
* Joe Knollenberg (MI-09)
* Randy Kuhl (NY-29)
* Jim Saxton (NJ-03)
* Tim Walberg (MI-07)
BackgroundThe bipartisan SCHIP bill passed by Congress will provide 10 million American children with affordable health insurance. SCHIP is supported by 49 governors. Despite broad bipartisan support, President Bush has said he will veto the SCHIP bill. To override Bush's veto, 15 Republicans in the House would have to change their votes.
Text of the Traffic & Weather Sponsorship Ads Against Chabot, Drake, Feeney, Graves, Knollenberg, and Saxton Follows
"Did you know Congressman Drake gets health care at taxpayers' expense, but Drake and Bush are blocking health care for 10 million children? Tell Thelma Drake to put families first."
Robo Calls
In addition to radio ads, the automated calls will made in each of the targeted districts (with the exception of NJ-03) encouraging constituents to call their Republican Member and support children's health care. Lisa Matzenbach, a mother of a chronically ill child on SCHIP, recorded the calls. Lisa and her daughter live in Joe Knollenberg's district. The text of the call follows:
"I am Lisa Matzenbach calling on behalf of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
"My daughter, Liane, has a chronic illness. Even though I work full time, I can't afford her care without SCHIP - the State Children's Health Insurance Program.
"Congress recently passed legislation to provide SCHIP health care to over 10 million uninsured American children.
"But, Congresswoman Thelma Drake and President Bush are against providing nearly 137,200 Virginia children access to the health care they desperately deserve.
"Please call Thelma Drake at (757) 497-6859 and tell her it's time to put our children first."
*"it should be clearly noted that SCHIP is not "government-run" health care."
*"the old bogeyman of "tax-and-spend liberalism" is not applicable here."
*"isn't it in America's long-term financial interest to provide preventative medicine and treatment to our youth?"
*"this is a common sense, feel good, reasonable initiative."
*"This is an excellent opportunity for President Bush to evince the "compassionate conservatism" that he so hopes will be associated with his presidential legacy."